Contemporary Sant Mat movements: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:32, 29 January 2007

Revision as of 01:23, 9 February 2007

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Technically speaking Sant Mat practice involves listening to the [[Shabd|Inner Sound]], contemplating the [[Inner Light]], and (eventually) [[astral travel|leaving the human body at will]] - a practice sometimes referred to as "dying while living". The principal intent is to awaken the Soul and unite it with God.<ref>"My dear souls, I should call you souls because we are from God. It is told to us" 'Your soul bears the seal of God. It belongs to God, give it unto God.' These words from the Bible and other scriptures were told by God himself when he came into the human garb. He came because Man has been misled. God is the only one who has sympathy with these suffering souls. He wants to end their suffering: 'Come back to me. Enjoy perfection, as I am perfect.'" LTLOS, page 1.</ref> Sant Mat is a practical and not a theoretical investigation.<ref>"The present day is an age of the practical life. People do not believe unless there is something practical. So we must have all our Truth in a practical way, and it will appeal to all. This Truth will prevail. Times are changing. This is the only thing that can appeal to everybody. This is the only ground on which all of us can sit together. So I wish each one of you to be practical. Do not try to reform others. Reform your own self." LOK [http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/ocean.htm The Ocean of Intoxication].</ref>

Contemporary Sant Mat movements claim to be different in a radical sense from other disciplines or kinds of knowledge which can be taught. It claims to be a meta-knowledge or method of going beyond knowledge and deprecates the mind and mental processes, at all times describing a dichotomy between the mind and the soul, in which the mind is only a negative copy or imitation of the soul.<ref>"Anyone whose soul is under the mind's influence and control becomes an image of the mind, for he forgets his true self. We call this ego or I-hood for one thinks 'I am everything.' Yet, one does not know that true 'I.' If one has forgotten one's true Self, then who is it that will realize the Lord?" LOK [http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/listen.htm Oh Mind, Listen For Once].</ref> The mind is to become still and quiet so that the soul can begin to experience itself.<ref>"Once, I remember, a very learned pundit came to our Master. I was there. He had a talk with my Master. At the end he said, "Will you kindly initiate me?" He was initiated. Then he told the Master, "Master, I will become proficient within three months. I'll do everything You say and come back." Master said, "All right, what more is wanted?" He came back after six months, and fortunately I was there because I had the privilege to be back with the Master. He said, "Master, previously l had been putting in eight hours a day in worship, and my mind never disturbed me. Now I cannot sit for a moment." You see? It is because in the outward performances, the mind gets food. You light the candle, you offer flowers, then you do this and that. The mind gets food. But in this way, the mind meets its death. He would prefer to go into the mouth of a cannon rather than enter within." LOK [http://www.ruhanisatsangusa.org/lok/servant.htm Are You The Servant Of Your Mind?]</ref> The soul has its own internal sources of knowledge, and when properly connected to its inner sources, no outer education or knowledge is required or desired.{{citationFact|date=February needed2007}}

The second essential tenet is the mystical role of the Sound Current:

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====Practices====

Contemporary Sat Mat movements assert that the "Master" or [[Guru]] is provided by God as the channel through which God manifests in the world - God is believed to be unknowable and inconceivable, so he has created Gurus as a way in which to be available. Only humans are capable of interacting with a Master, as other forms of life are asserted to be incapable of doing so.{{citationFact|date=February needed2007}}

Teachers of contemporary Sant Mat movements claim to teach a spiritual path which is intentionally easier than others described in the ancient scriptures as it requires nothing more than sitting quietly and looking and listening within. {{citationFact|date=February needed2007}}

Specifics of this process include connecting one's soul or attention, called ''[[Surat (soul)]]'' with the inner Current of Light and Sound of God, the [[Shabd]]. Adherents believe this Sound Current cannot be heard by the uninitiated; it is made manifest at the time of initiation.{{citationFact|date=February needed2007}} An essential component of the practice involves sitting still with eyes closed, with one's attention focused at the "third eye center", located between and behind the two eyebrows, while (mentally) repeating one or more [[mantra]]s given by the Guru to the disciple at the time of initiation. This is called [[simran]] (repetition) and its primary function is to still the mind while remembering (or being connected to) the Guru via the mantra he provided. However listening to the Sound Current by plugging the ears with the thumbs and listening at the right side or above is equally as important. Sound is considered to be the source of the Light, and to contain everything required. {{citationFact|date=February needed2007}}

The concept of [[Satsang]] is also a common thread in contemporary Sant Mat movements' practices. Satsang means literally "gathering of Truth." These gatherings serve as the formal meeting place of the Master and his devotees when he is present in physical form, but also, more often, follow the tradition of early Christianity and take place in the homes of disciples or in any convenient ___location as times of remembrance of the Master and the need for meditation. <ref>"You may also gather together in one of your homes to listen to one of Master's tapes or read from the religious scriptures or talk about Master's mission or His teachings. That will also be a satsang." And You Will Fly Up to God, p. 68-69.</ref>